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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, pruritic, inflammatory skin disease characterised primarily by a cutaneous barrier deficiency and mediated by cutaneous inflammation. The disease has a significant negative impact on patients’ mental and physical functioning, especially due to its chronic, unremitting time course and associated sleep deprivation from pruritus.

This module highlights recent progress in the understanding of the inflammatory pathways involved in AD impacting on treatment of the severe presentations of this condition.

This MJA narrative review shares more.

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise and treats AD as a chronic disease that has a considerable negative impact on the quality of life of patients and their families
2. Gain knowledge of the various topical therapies, and selects an optimal treatment plan for the patient
3. Develop an understanding of the immune pathogenesis of AD, including the role of T helper cells and the inflammatory pathways involved and new targeted immunotherapies.

Details

Authors: Victoria R Harris, Alan J Cooper

Article Type: Narrative review